Fastener means



R. J. HOLTON FASTENER MEANS July 25, 1967 Original Filed June 13, 1961IN V EN TOR.

United States Patent 3,332,712 FASTENER MEANS Robert J. Holton, RockyRiver, Ohio, assignor to Tinnerman Products, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, acorporation of Ohio Original application June 13, 1961, Ser. No.116,786, now Patent No. 3,190,167. Divided and this application Nov. 12,1964, Ser. No. 410,371

9 Claims. (Cl. 287-189.36)

This application is a divisional application of the pending UnitedStates patent application of Robert I. Holton, Serial No. 116,786, filedJune 13, 1961, now Patent No. 3,190,167.

This invention relates in general to fastener means, and moreparticularly to rotary fasteners adapted to be made from a single pieceof metal stock or the like, and operative to be quickly attached to anddetached from an apertured supporting panel or part in response topartial rotation of the fastener.

Rotary-type fasteners are known in the fastener art, but generally thesefasteners are unduly expensive and/ or are somewhat difficult to attachin operative position in the receiving aperture of the supporting panel,especially if such apertures are not produced to exact tolerances, andvary somewhat in size.

An object of the present invention is to provide a quickly operablerotary-type fastener which may be conveniently and readily actuated intoholding position on an apertured supporting panel or part.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fastener of the abovetype which includes a generally flattened head portion, and a shankportion adapted for passage into a receiving aperture in a supportingpart or panel, and wherein the shank includes means thereon forfacilitating the shanks movement into the aperture irrespective oftolerance variations in the aperture size.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fastener of the abovetype which may be inexpensively produced from fiat metal stock such assheet metal, to provide an economically desirable arrangement.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a rotary-typefastener produced from flat sheet metal stock and formed into agenerally flattened, elongated head portion and a depending shankportion, with the shank portion having upwardly extending, flexible wingportions thereon for rotative engagement with the underside of anapertured support panel, and wherein the split shank provides lateralresiliency to the shank for ready insertion into an under sizedreceiving aperture in the supporting panel.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view taken from one side of a rotary fastenerconstructed in accordance with the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view taken generally from the right handend of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the fastener of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a blank from which the fastener shown in FIGS.1 to 3 may be produced;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of a work panel or part provided withan aperture adapted to accommodate the fastener of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view taken from the other side of the workpanel of FIG. 5, and illustrating in particular indentations formed inthe work panel for receiving therein the upper ends of the resilientwings of the rotary fastener, to aid in retaining the latter in mountedposition on the supporting panel;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a fastener of the FIG. 1 to 3 typemounted on a' pair of juxtaposed apertured panels, and holding thelatter together;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary plan view generally similar to FIG. 5 andshowing a modified form of aperture in a support panel;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary plan view of a further modified form of aperturein a supporting panel.

Referring now again to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1 to 3,inclusive, reference number 10 designates a fastener produced inaccordance with the instant invention. The fastener may be formed from asingle piece or blank of sheet metal stock, as illustrated for instancein FIG. 4, with such blank being subsequently bent into the fastenerconfiguration illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive.

Fastener 10 comprises an elongated head 45 of generally flatconfiguration with at least the end portions of the head being inwardlybowed as at 48 to provide generally convex under surfaces 48a on thehead extending transversely thereof, which act as slides or cams forfacilitating rotary movement of the fastener into its holding positionon the supporting panel P. The head 45 preferably has a top recess orslot 14 formed therein, which recess provides an aperture which mayreceive therein a pointed instrument or work tool, such as a screwdriver, for turning the fastener into its holding position on thesupporting panel. 3

Depending from head 45 is a split shank portion 16 defining leg portions16a and 16b. Leg portions 16a and 16b are convexly curved on theirexterior surfaces and are disposed in spaced relation, as at 17, withrespect to one another throughout their lengths, to give a considerabledegree of lateral or transverse resiliency to the shank of the fastener,thereby facilitating insertion into a poor tolerance or tight fittingaperture 20 in the supporting panel.

The end extremities of the head 45 may be of rounded or arcuateconfiguration, as at 47 (FIG. 3) and head 45 is preferably provided withslots 49 adjacent the juncture of the leg portions 16a, 1612 with thehead, to facilitate bending of the fastener into its finalized form.

Each of the leg portions 16a, 16b is provided with an upwardlyprojecting, generally flexible or resilient wing 24, 24a, which wing ispreferably curved somewhat inwardly to terminate beneath the head 45 ofthe fastener in predetermined spaced relationship. It will be noted thatthe wing 24 is inwardly curved in one direction while wing 24a isinwardly curved in the opposite direction relative to a vertical planepassing through the shank, whereby the fastener is adapted to rotate ina direction opposite to the inward curvature of the wings. Wings 24, 24aare cut away as at 30, to increase the flexibility of such wingportions, and thereby facilitate mounting or twisting of the fastener inthe work receiving aperture in the supporting panel.

The fastener is inserted in the aperture 20 in the work panel so thatthe head engages the confronting surface of the panel, and with thesplit shank providing for ready insertion into an undersized aperture,and then the fastener is rotated, preferably in a direction opposite tothe direction of inward curvature of the wing portions, until the freeends of the wing portions move into the indentation 32 adjacent theperiphery of the aperture on the underside of the work panel, with suchcoaction between the indentations 32 and the free ends of the resilientwing portions aiding in retaining the fastener in attached condition onthe supporting panel.

The distance between the free ends of the wing portions 24, 24a and theunderside of the inwardly curved head portion 45 is so chosen that thewings will flex or bend somewhat during twisting of the fastener, andwith the free ends of the resilient wings being urged into bitingrelation with the confronting side of the panel, to increase thevibration resistance of the fastener. It will be seen that the head 45in the mounted condition of the fastener is substantially flush with theconfronting surface of the panel and does not project outwardly intointerferring relation.

The fastener may be rotated into holding position either by use of theaforementioned screw driver, or by the use of a pair of pliers engagingthe head 45, or possibly even by use of a workmans fingers, dependingupon the size and resilience of the fastener.

As is illustrated in FIG. 7, the fastener can be utilized to holdtogether two or more panels of predetermined thickness. In order todisassemble the fastener from a work panel or panels, rotation of thefastener is effected, until the free ends of the wing portions move intothe elongated slotted portions a of the aperture, whereupon the fastenercan be Withdrawn from the supporting panel.

From the foregoing discussion and accompanying drawings it will be seenthat the invention provides a. quickly operable rotary type fastenerwhich may be inexpensively produced from flat stock, such as sheetmetal, and which may comprise a generally flattened head portion and aresilient shank portion for facilitating insertion of the fastener intoan aperture in a supporting part or panel, and having slide or cam meanson the flattened head portion for facilitating rotation of the fasteneron the panel, and wherein the fastener may be readily attached to anddetached from the supporting panel or part.

The terms and expressions which have been used are used as terms ofdescription and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the useof such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of any of thefeatures shown or described, or portions thereof, and it is recognizedthat various modifications are possible within the scope of theinvention claimed.

I claim:

I. A rotary fastener formed of sheet metal and adapted for assembly withan apertured support panel comprising, an elongated head of generallyplanar configuration in side elevation, said head beingbent adjacenteach. of its opposed ends to form convex surfaces on its underside whichextend transversely thereof and which are adapted for coactingengagement with the confronting surface of said'support panel tofacilitate rotary turning movement of the fastener when applied to saidsupport panel, and extending from said head, said leg portions beingspaced laterally from one another throughout their lengths to providetransverse resiliency in said shank, said leg portions having convexexterior surfaces in a generally transverse direction, the transversedimension of said shank being at least as great as the transversedimension of said head as measured in the same plane, each of said legportions including a single outwardly extending resilient wing on theone side thereof commencing adjacent the lower extremity of therespective leg portion and projecting upwardly toward said head, each ofsaid wings being cut away toward its upper end so as to be substantiallylaterally spaced from its respective leg portion, and the terminal endof each of said Wings being disposed in predetermined spaced relationwith respect to said head, both of said wings being inwardly curved inthe opposite direction relative to a vertical plane passing through saidshank, to facilitate rotary movement of said fastener in the oppositedirection relativeto said curvature upon as- Sembly with said supportpanel.

2. A fastener device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said headincludes notches adjacent the juncture of said leg portions with saidhead for facilitating bending of said fastener into finalized form.

3. A rotary fastener in accordance with claim 1, wherein the distal endsof said head are of generally arcuate configuration in plan view.

4. A rotary fastener in accordance with claim 1, wherein said headincludes an elongated slot adapted to receive a tool, such as a screwdriver, for rotating said fastener.

5. In combination, a support panel having an elongatedlike aperturetherein, and a rotary type fastener formed of a single blank of sheetmetal mounted in said aperture in said support panel, said fastenerhaving an elongated generally planar-like head with the head being inengagement with one side of said support panel, said head being bentinwardly to form convex surfaces on its underside extending transverselythereof, to facilitate rotation of the fastener on the panel, a splitshank depending downwardly from said head and defining a pair ofoppositely disposed leg portions spaced laterally from one another toprovide transverse resiliency insaid shank, each of said leg portionsincluding a single outwardly extending wing-like member on one sidethereof and projecting upwardly toward said head, said shank beingreceived through said aperture with the terminal ends of said wing-likemembers coacting in holding relation with the underside of the panel toresiliently hold said fastener in predetermined rotated and lockedposition on said support panel, both of said wing-like members beingoppositely curved relative to a vertical plane passing through saidshank to facilitate rotary movement of said fastener into andout oflocked engagement with said support panel.

6. The combination in accordance with claim 5 including recess portionson the underside of said panel with said terminal ends of said wing-likemembers being received in said recessed portions, to positively lock therotary fastener on the support panel.

7. The combination in accordance with claim 5, wherein said elongatedaperture in said support panel comprises a circular section withelongated slot portions disposed on diametrically opposite sides of saidcircular portion in communication therewith, said wing-like membersbeing adapted to be received through said elongated slot portions andthen rotated 90 with respect thereto.

8. The combination in accordance with claim 5, wherein said aperture insaid support panel is of diamond-shaped configuration, with thewing-like members being adapted to be received along the major axis ofsaid diamond-shaped configuration prior to rotation of the fastener onthe panel.

9. The combination in accordance with claim 5, wherein said aperture insaid support panel is of oval-shaped configuration with the wing-likemembers being adapted to be received along the major axis of saidoval-aperture prior to rotation of the fastener on the panel.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,400,409 12/1921 Board -522 X2,077,120 4/1937- Lombard 85-522 X 2,599,207 6/1952 Spahr et al. 8552.2X

REINALDO P. MACHADO, Primary Examiner.

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Examiner.

A. I. BREIER, Assistant Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 ,332,7l2 July 25 1967 Robert J. Holton It is certified that error appears inthe above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Column 3, lines 47 and 48, cancel and extending from said head," andinsert a split shank depending downwardly centrally from said head anddefining a pair of oppositely disposed leg portions, each of said legportions being integral with and extending from each side of said head,

Signed and sealed this 9th day of December 1969.

ISEAL) attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

\ttesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

1. A ROTARY FASTENER FORMED OF SHEET METAL AND ADAPTED FOR ASSEMBLY WITHAN APERTURED SUPPORT PANEL COMPRISING, AN ELONGATED HEAD OF GENERALLYPLANAR CONFIGURATION IN SIDE ELEVATION, SAID HEAD BEING BENT ADJACENTEACH OF ITS OPPOSED ENDS TO FORM CONVEX SURFACES ON ITS UNDERSIDE WHICHEXTEND TRANSVERSELY THEREOF AND WHICH ARE ADAPTED FOR COACTINGENGAGEMENT WITH THE CONFRONTING SURFACE OF SAID SUPPORT PANEL TOFACILITATE ROTARY TURNING MOVEMENT OF THE FASTENER WHEN APPLIED TO SAIDSUPPORT PANEL, AND EXTENDING FROM SAID HEAD, SAID LEG PORTIONS BEINGSPACED LATERALLY FROM ONE ANOTHER THROUGHOUT THEIR LENGTHS TO PROVIDETRANSVERSE RESILIENCY IN SAID SHANK, SAID LEG PORTIONS HAVING CONVEXEXTERIOR SURFACES IN A GENERALLY TRANSVERSE DIRECTION, THE TRANSVERSEDIMENSION OF SAID SHANK BEING AT LEAST AS GREAT AS THE TRANSVERSEDIMENSION OF SAID HEAD AS MEASURED IN THE SAME PLANE, EACH OF SAID LEGPORTIONS INCLUDING A SINGLE OUTWARDLY EXTENDING RESILIENT WING ON THEONE SIDE THEREOF COMMENCING ADJACENT THE LOWER EXTREMITY OF THERESPECTIVE LEG PORTION AND PROJECTING UPWARDLY TOWARD SAID HEAD, EACH OFSAID WINGS BEING CUT AWAY TOWARD ITS UPPER END SO AS TO BE SUBSTANTIALLYLATERALLY SPACED FROM ITS RESPECTIVE LEG PORTION, AND THE TERMINAL ENDOF EACH OF SAID WINGS BEING DISPOSED IN PREDETERMINED SPACED RELATIONWITH RESPECT TO SAID HEAD, BOTH OF SAID WINGS BEING INWARDLY CURVED INTHE OPPOSITE DIRECTION RELATIVE TO A VERTICAL PLANE PASSING THROUGH SAIDSHANK, TO FACILITATE ROTARY MOVEMENT OF SAID FASTENER IN THE OPPOSITEDIRECTION RELATIVE TO SAID CURVATURE UPON ASSEMBLY WITH SAID SUPPORTPANEL.